Mason proposes admission tax for Kings Island other attractions

Kings Island is Incorporated Voluntarily into the city of Mason. This is not the first time they've tried to pass this. The last time I believe KI said it will withdraw its incorporation with Mason and Hook up with one of the other two townships surrounding the park.

AKA, MASON IS STUPID.to try to bite a gift horse in the mouth. I also wouldn't be surprised if the Beach and Showcase cinemas just didn't close up shop.

I don't understand how cities think they will get away with this. As I recall, Sandusky tried something similar but was stopped at one point because they were targeting just one business (CP). However in this case they are targeting both KI and The Beach.

Either way, why alienate the company who is the central source of income for your city?

Dumb idea. It's amazing that such an idea could even be brought to a table and not laughed off as being ridiculous.

Glad I have my Platinum Pass.

First Sandusky, Oh, then Gurnee Il, and now Mason.

Any other genius politicians want to come forward and increase taxes on something that already provides a boost in revenue to your communities?

This is really out of hand all over the place. From the feds down to the dinkiest little burg, governments have become huge bloated blobs determined to suck up anything in its path. They've become addicted to spending worse than any drug addict, alcoholic, or eating addiction all rolled into one.

What will happen here if this passes is they're going to estimate collecting a certain amount, and probably underestimate it badly. But instead of using it to pay off a deficit, they're going to spend 3x what they collect. So they'll be even more in the hole.

I can almost see justifying a tax if it were used solely to pay for services the park requires, e.g., improve roads, pay for police and fire. But to expect people from out of the area to pay a tax so they can put an addition onto city hall or teach their little snot-nosed brats how to spell is way out of line. They obviously didn't teach them Economics 001- don't raise taxes in a recession.

With so many states/local governments facing huge deficits, I think that is a problem that will continue to get worse.

RatherGoodBear said:
This is really out of hand all over the place. From the feds down to the dinkiest little burg, governments have become huge bloated blobs determined to suck up anything in its path. They've become addicted to spending worse than any drug addict, alcoholic, or eating addiction all rolled into one.

What will happen here if this passes is they're going to estimate collecting a certain amount, and probably underestimate it badly. But instead of using it to pay off a deficit, they're going to spend 3x what they collect. So they'll be even more in the hole.

I can almost see justifying a tax if it were used solely to pay for services the park requires, e.g., improve roads, pay for police and fire. But to expect people from out of the area to pay a tax so they can put an addition onto city hall or teach their little snot-nosed brats how to spell is way out of line. They obviously didn't teach them Economics 001- don't raise taxes in a recession.

Whats funny is, Just what you mention. There is a sign out front of KI, Great Wolf and Showcase that says. Improvements courtosy of the American Reinvestment act. And not a darn thing going on for three months now.

The only thing that got paid for with the stimulus money as the signs.

Not entirely surprised that this would be tried. Admissions taxes are common in most cities. Go to a Broadway show... Pay an admissions tax. Go to a professional baseball or football game... Pay an admissions tax. Go to the movies in most big cities... Pay an amusement tax. Pay to park your car in a big city, .... you get the picture. The difference is suburbia is trying what the big cities have had for years. Is it right? That's for each person to judge. But for a cash strapped city, is an admissions tax (which primarily is paid by people NOT living in the municipality) popular. You bet. Same reason why it is not uncommon to have a 15% tax on rental cars or a double digit lodging tax. The people that benefit from the money typically do not pay it.

NH has a 9% rooms & meals tax, which also applies to car rentals.

A proposed parking tax was what Cedar Point balked at. But Sandusky has long had an admissions tax. In fact, the park recently mentioned its support of an admissions tax hike if city residents voted to hike the income tax rate (the income tax increase was voted down).

How does an admission tax work on Platinum Pass? For 2009 I purchased my PP at KI because they opened before CP and because of Diamondback, but during the year I used my pass much more at CP. Sandusky gets zero because my pass was purchased at KI?

James Whitmore said:
How does an admission tax work on Platinum Pass? For 2009 I purchased my PP at KI because they opened before CP and because of Diamondback, but during the year I used my pass much more at CP. Sandusky gets zero because my pass was purchased at KI?

I think they City of Mason wants to put the tax on every car that passes through the tolls at Kings Island, so when you enter Cedar Point or any of the other Cedar Fair properties, you would not be affected.

I would, however, definitely expect a rise in season passes, Gold Passes, Platinum and daily admission so I guess that would be what affects you.

Mason just needs to quit wasting their money and spend it wisely.

This will just upsaet people more and drive entertainment away.

Nice move!

The park should screw Mason and offer free parking and admission and go to pay per ride.

They they'd be charging $5 per coaster ride. I'd be okay with that as long as they offter a reasonable all-day ride pass like Knoble's.